Անուշապուր (anoushabour), which directly translates to sweet soup, is a delicious pudding that is associated with good fortune and prosperity. For that reason, it is most commonly served around the holidays, namely New Year and Armenian Christmas.
Tip: Make sure to have a kettle of hot water on hand, as you may need to add more as you cook!
Ingredients:
-1/2 cup pearl barley
-7 cups of water (+1-2 more if needed)
-1/2 cup dried apricots, cut in half
-1/4 raisins (golden is best, sultan can work too!)
-2 TBSP rose water
-1 cup sugar
-Cinnamon (for topping)
-Pomegranate seeds (for topping)
Directions:
- The night before you plan on making it: rinse the barley well and add it to a pot with 7 cups of water. Bring to a boil, remove all foam, turn off heat, leave the lid on and let it soak all night
- Morning of: keep a kettle full of hot water handy in case you need to add more
- Bring the barley to a boil again. Once it does, remove any foam and reduce the heat to medium
- Cook for about 50 minutes, making sure to stir occasionally
- Cut your dried apricots in half & soak the dried fruits for 10 minutes
- Drain them and add them to the pot, add more water if necessary
- Boil for another 30 minutes, stirring occasionally
- Add sugar and cook for another 10 minutes, stirring more often
- Turn off heat, and add rose water
- Transfer to a bowl (or bowls) and let it cool completely
- Sprinkle on cinnamon with nuts OR pomegranates